Family

An Unfinished Life

It has been a year since my sister's death. She wrote what was grateful for which gives some insight into who she was.

John M Poltrack

John M Poltrack

— 2 min read
An Unfinished Life

Today marks the one year anniversary of my sister Pat Poltrack's death. I was trying to articulate what impact that has on the family, but my sister Susan said it best in an email to the family.

Hard to believe on Jan. 9 it will be one year that Pat has been gone. A year of many days of “oh Pat would enjoy hearing this”“This would make Pat laugh”..  “I would like to call Pat to tell her…”She is in our hearts. Happy New Year. Love, Susan
Pat with Candlelight
Pat at Christmas, Fairfield, CT

I Am Grateful For...

My sister left a diary which she started in February 2009 describing what she was grateful for. The diary is incomplete with a mysterious gap of five years. It gives some insight of who she was and what was important in her life, and why we loved her so.

February 2009

I am grateful for:

  • Seeing the first bllom on the magnolia tree in the backyard
  • Having a well paying job
  • The joy that Sophie, the cat brings me every day
  • The painter that showed up and did an excellent job painting the study/office
  • The sun that shines through the window while I sit reading on the sofa
  • Bubbles
  • David, the gardener who does the hard stuff

March 2009

I am grateful for:

  • The miracles of nature
  • My parents
  • The way the sun streams through the clouds letting the light in
  • My brain
  • Rainy days
  • File Cabinets
  • My coworkers
  • The Vernal Equinox
  • My car
  • Running water
  • Days off
  • Electricity
  • The sun
  • My muscles
  • For people who can draw blood painlessly

April 2009

I am grateful for:

  • Being able to work from home
  • Family
  • Thunderstorms

June 2009

I am grateful for:

  • Living near a good hospital
  • My beating heart
  • Cardiologists
  • My sister
  • My friends
  • Email
  • Pain Killers
  • Showers
  • Kale
  • Ice Cubes
  • A good hose & nozzle
  • Rubber Stamps

July 2009

I am grateful for:

  • My skin
  • Living in the USA
  • My childhood
  • Music
  • Having a job

August 2009 (Last entry for 5 years)

I am grateful for:

  • Music
  • My Age
  • Garlic and Onions

August 2014 (Final entry 5 years later)

I am grateful for:

  • My bones
  • My muscles
  • My organs
  • My mind
  • My cats Bella & Sophie
  • Oxygen
  • Yoga Classes
  • Email (To keep connected to family)
Cremains
Some of Pat's cremains fused into a glass marble

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